More Than Just a Melody: Inside Bravo! Broadway and Beyond

Esk Community Choir with Rebecca Cassidy and John Wood

 

There would be few who were present at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk on the afternoon of 3^rd May who would disagree that Bravo! Broadway and Beyond delivered an afternoon of delightful talent and theatrical charm, bringing together the exceptional artistry of Opera Queensland’s soprano, Rebecca Cassidy, her masterful accompanist John Woods, together with the spirited voices of the Esk Community Choir.  From the moment guests entered, many of whom beaming in bling, perfectly compatible with the Broadway theme, it was clear this would be no ordinary performance.  The room itself set the tone – beautifully styled with blue-themed tables that created an atmosphere of elegance, inviting audience members to settle in for an afternoon of storytelling through music.

Evey Weller

Two- thirty arrived…The lights dimmed, a hush fell over the audience, and for a moment the world outside disappeared. The piano strikes up; a voice breaks through.  It’s Evey with a vibrant invitation to Let Yourself Go. In that instant, the stage became a place where reality loosened its grip, and a colourful choir took over.   This was this day, the heartbeat of Broadway, where every note, every movement, and every story asked the audience to step into the spectacle that is Broadway and Beyond.

Our own Denis’s thoughtfully chosen backdrops, transported the audience from one scene to the next; the colourful costumes added depth and meaning to each song; David Finn’s command of audio and lighting; all these elements which worked seamlessly together giving expression and life to the variety of Broadway numbers performed.

Rebecca Cassidy’s presence was, as expected, captivating.  Her soprano voice soared effortlessly, weaving both strength and delicacy into every note.  While Rebecca’s radiant soprano voice lent a polished brilliance to the occasion, it was the warmth of her spirit and her gentle embrace of the choir’s kinship that truly made the day shine.

Clearly guided by the passion and brilliance of Musical Director and accompanist, Alexis, the choir also shone with their joy of singing.  Alexis’s ability to unify voices and her vision continues to be the backbone of the choir’s successes, every performance reflective of the careful preparation and a shared love of music that resonated with the audience on this day.

Aydan Forsyth - C'est Moi

Aydan Forsyth’s striking transformation into the Camelot character, Lancelot, fully immersing himself with theatrical flair and confidence was among the standout performances.  

To everyone’s ‘wait…what!?’ moments before Jenny Carey’s debut solo performance, one of those recalcitrant Vonn Trapp terrors ‘doe, ray, me’-d herself across the stage.  However, despite this distraction, Jenny took to the stage with courage and grace as she led the Choir into the singing of Edelweiss marking an exciting milestone for Jenny and a hint of more to come.

Jenny Carey

Ever eloquent, Sean Choat guided the afternoon with poise and charm, keeping the programme flowing smoothly, complemented at interval by a delightful afternoon tea thoughtfully delivered to tables by our always poised and ready volunteers, Michaela, Pat, and Felice, along with Di and Maree our Catering Queens and choir kitchen crew who so capably crafted this afternoon tea.

Bravo! Broadway and Beyond was more than just a concert.  It was a celebration of a supportive community, of creativity and the joy of performing on stage, every detail contributing to an unforgettable afternoon.  More than this, it was a testament to what can be achieved when passion, talent, patience, love and guidance come together in harmony.

By: Sue Walker

Let yourself Go 

Golden Age of Broadway

Nothin' Like a Dame 

At the End of the Day from Les Miserables 

Jenny Leading the choir - Eidelweiss

Rebecca 

Rebecca with a Dressing Room Star 

John Wood, Alexis FitzGerald OAM, Rebecca Cassidy

‘LEST WE FORGET’… 2026 ANZAC DAY IN ESK

 

Esk Cenotaph ANZAC Day 2026

When you go home, tell them of us, and say, for your tomorrows these gave their todays...  

an epitaph which has become synonymous with wars and words which echoed through the Esk Memorial Park on ANZAC Day 2026.  While this day in Esk may have lacked the scale and spectacle of ceremonies around Australian cities, the meaning of the day was no less powerfully felt by those who gathered around the cenotaph in the Esk Memorial Park on this cool and blustery morning. 

Piper Joe McGhee

A large crowd gathered as the service unfolded with the steady rhythm of tradition. Church and community leaders, politicians, and RSL Subbranch executives delivered their prayers and opening addresses with a simplicity that underscored their sincerity.    Esk Choir’s Susie and Maree sang the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems as families and community members assembled in respectful silence.   The laying of wreaths, Matthew Lukritz’s resounding delivery of the Last Post, the shared pause of reflection followed by Rouse, Piper Joe McGhee’s Going Home as veterans gathered to honour the fallen, all carried out in a stillness which allowed the significance of remembering to resonate around the park.

A highlight of the service was the ANZAC Day address delivered so eloquently by the two Toogoolawah High School Captains, Grace Jardine and Lily Eggleston, their words speaking to the enduring importance of remembering sacrifice and the connection to the responsibilities of the younger generations and communities in preserving those stories.

Despite the challenging conditions in blustery winds, Choir Director and accompanist, Alexis FitzGerald remained composed and committed at the keyboard while the Esk Community Choir delivered their moving musical contributions to this ANZAC Day service, performing a selection of reflective and inspiring songs. Their performance surely an understated reminder of perseverance in the face of difficulty which ANZAC Day seeks to honour.

RSL Subbranch President 
Charlie Elwell

Adding a distinct local flavour to the ceremony was the presence of Esk RSL Subbranch President, Charlie Elwell. Known around town as something of a ‘character’, Charlie’s address brought warmth and a balance between reverence and familiarity, serving as a reminder that ANZAC Day is as much about people as it is about history.

Though simple in its form, 2026 ANZAC Day in Esk demonstrated that the power of remembrance does not depend on scale, that the meaning of the day is still felt just as strongly through family and community connection and a deep understanding of the sacrifices that define this day.

By: Sue Walker

Esk Community Choir

Maree Lansdown

Veteran's Prayer for the Fallen

A DELIGHTFULLY DISORDERLY DIVE INTO GILBERT AND SULLIVAN WITH THE ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR

 

On the afternoon of  29^th March at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk, even before the proverbial curtain rose and long before a single, confident note rang out on that stage, this Rollicking Romp with Gilbert and Sullivan was shaped, guided, and brought to life by the tireless dedication of our musical director and accompanist, Alexis FitzGerald OAM. Through many months of rehearsals, filled with laughter, missed lyrics and dance steps, eventual progress, and many amazing musical moments, Alexis steered her choristers with patience, precision, and an unwavering belief in the joy of performance. What follows is not just a recount of a concert, but a celebration of the high-spirited journey that transformed a group of eager Esk Community Choir members into a delightfully close-knit cast, ready to embrace the wit, whimsy, and wonder of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Bob Hardy with the chorus  

Sue and Malcolm 

As the afternoon slipped into show time, our ever-eloquent emcee Sean Choat took a moment to acknowledge the choir’s new corporate sponsors, expressing sincere gratitude for their generous support.   With Sean’s brief glimpse into Iolanthe, a comic opera blending satire and fantasy, the opening items captured this playful spirit.   Tripping hither and thither- enter, the fairies’ dainty presence, the pomp and bluster of the Peers, and Bob’s powerfully delivered solo along with the lively chorus ensemble, celebrating the might of the establishment. This portion of the rollicking romp concluded with Susie and Malcolm’s charming duet If We’re Weak Enough to Tarry, a light-hearted reflection on love and hesitation, a perfect balance between Gilbert and Sullivan’s satire and warmth.

Liz, Evey and Marina 

Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, and Peep-Bo, brought to life by Liz, Evey, and Marina, were a delight both visually and vocally, their vibrant costumes and harmonious rendition of The Three Little Maids from School captivating the audience. 

Aydan

Then it was hardly persuasion which was required when Aydan Forsythe bounded onto the stage with If You Give Me Your Attention from Princess Ida. From the outset, Aydan commanded the audience’s full focus, his performance sparkling with playful, satirical charm, capturing the character’s mischievous personality, reflecting his own to perfection.

Patrina and Sue

Meandering into Venice and the music of The Gondoliers, one of G & S’s most spectacular comic operas, Susie and Patrina ignited the story-telling charm of A Regular Royal Queen, inviting the audience into a world of the witty musical brilliance of this timeless classic. 

Following a brief interlude, innovatively ‘filled’ by our energetic emcee to accommodate quick costume changes, Susie and Anna returned to the stage with one of the comic highlights of the programme.  Their tender-hearted rendition of Poor Wand’ring One from The Pirates of Penzance, was a performance met with enthusiastic applause by a now captivated audience.

Sue and Anna - Poor Wand'ring One

Denis - Captain and Crew 

A lively shift in pace ushered in a choral salute to H.M.S. Pinafore with the harmonious voices of a spirited company of maritime crew and a jolly good captain too, all characterising the wit and charm of seafaring life. And amid all this energy, Poor Little Buttercup, warmly brought to life by Maree Lansdown with her basket of baubles in hand, made her entrance, weaving through the bustling crew and softening the exuberance with a touch of musical whimsy and vocal charisma.

Buttercup - Maree Lansdown

A Policeman’s Lot Is Not a Happy One to be sure but delivered with charm, especially in the spirited pursuit of the young rascal Aydan. Denis and Roger, portraying the hapless constabulary, brought humour ironically reflecting the policemen’s lack of courage. This clever rendition provided a brilliant segue into this Gilbert and Sullivan rollicking romp’s finale.  Complete with a swashbuckling chorus of pirates, A Pirates Chorus was the climactic conclusion which left the audience in rapturous applause and eager for more.

Denis and Roger 

Watch the Video.

For the success of this endeavour, we of the choir extend our deepest thanks to our extraordinary volunteers, especially our newbies, all of whom never hesitate to step forward and support every aspect of our performances, from front -of -house to the kitchen. Your willingness and dedication form the foundation of everything we do. Special appreciation goes to David Finn for his artistry in lighting and sound, elevating the cast beyond what they thought possible, and to Denis for his thoughtful research on backdrops, bringing each song vividly into its proper context. We are also sincerely grateful to Ruth and Suzanne for their beautiful flute and piccolo embellishments, enhancing Alexis’s already unparalleled piano accompaniments. Finally, our heartfelt thanks go to Alexis, the beating heart of this choir, whose passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment make all of this possible.

By: Sue Walker

 

The crew

Hearty Sailors

Malcolm, Aydan, Helene 

Musical Director Alexis FitzGerald OAM with 
Suzanne and Ruth 

COMMUNITY, CITIZENSHIP AND CELEBRATION IN THE SOMERSET

 

High humidity levels persisted across many parts of south east Queensland on January 26^th but not even oppressive temperatures were going to be enough to keep the citizens and soon-to- be citizens of the Somerset Region gathering in the cool of the Somerset Civic Centre, Esk on this Australia Day 2026; a day for celebrating  those values of resilience, respect, diversity and freedoms which have continued to shape this nation.

The dynamic Brady Schultz, the epitome of his ‘Healthy Lifestyles Australia’, ushered in the day with a spirited welcome to all the invited dignitaries including Mayor Jason Wendt, Queensland’s Attorney General Deb Frecklington and a cast of Councillors from the Somerset Region, with a special warm welcome to this year’s Australia Day Ambassador, Hani Watson.

Embodying its motto ‘Service in Song’, the Esk Community Choir laid the groundwork for an Aussie flavoured day with their rendition of Mark O’Leary’s The Lachlan Tigers (that’s NSW shearers, not Eastern Suburb’s Footy team!).  With Alexis at the piano, Suzanne and Ruth on flute and Kathleen adding rhythm and colour to the music on the monkey stick or lagerphone, this Aussie folk song paved the way for the more formal proceedings.

The seventy-one new Australians, having taken aloud the Australian Citizenship Pledge were each presented their Citizenship Certificates, bouquets of Australian Native flowers and from the audience, heartfelt applause and a strong sense of shared pride. With the Choir leading in a stirring rendition of the Australian National Anthem, it was on with the show!

Somerset’s Australia Day Ambassador, Hani Watson, a Queenslander since she was a tot, is a true reflection of what it means to be Australian.  Hani was born with significant birth defects and now after many years of corrective surgeries, still suffers multiple medical issues which are progressive and degenerative.  Inspired by her bodybuilder father, Hani has forged ahead despite her disabilities, and represented Australia in Commonwealth and Paralympic Games, a powerhouse in the sport of powerlifting.

With Somerset Council’s Helen at the mic and a well-versed company of Council staff, Certificates of Recognition were presented to the many worthy nominees for the Sports, Arts and Culture, Community Group, Event of the Year, Citizen of the Year Awards, and to the eventual winners of each category, their medals and certificates.  It is with a not -so-small sense of pride that the Esk Community Choir came up trumps for the Arts and Culture Award in acknowledgement of their 48 years of artistic contributions to local culture, civic life and the enrichment of regional events through performances and collaborations. Adding another level of true-blue flavour to the day, the choir’s uplifting rendition of Advance Matilda marked the close of the formal proceedings, inviting all to move on to CWA’s sumptuous morning tea and the enjoyable activities that awaited.

To Jo Maxwell and all the members of the Somerset Regional Council whose initiative made this day a wonderful day of celebration for all, Alexis and the members of the Esk Community Choir give their sincere thanks.

By: Sue Walker

 

Alexis FitzGeral OAM & Ruth Skippen

MEMORIES MADE IN 2025 WITH ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR

 

At the Grand Hotel we gathered round,

Cheerful chatter amid a grateful crowd,

The year was full, the months seemed long,

But now it was time for wine and song.

The tables filled with stories shared

Of concerts sung and highs declared.

Alexis lavished praise with a well-earned sigh,

Cards and gifts exchanged around table nearby.

Susie wrapped wrist bands on members with cheer,

And we all toasted heartily to another great year.

The soloists sparkled, Alexis and Ruth kept time,

The duets and Ukes all sounded sublime.

Helene made her debut on flute this night

Annie’s Song so serene, not one note did take flight.

Now Roly and Sue have taken their leave

Off to new ventures, we can hardly believe.

We’ll miss both their voices, Sue’s table décor bespoke

And the times they shared with all of us folk.

Throughout ‘25, each rise and fall,

Each week we’ve answered music’s call…

With our cherished Alexis, so calm and true,

Guiding us as only she can do.

Alexis to your steadfast heart

Your care, your craft, your vital part

We offer our gratitude sincere,

You are the soul of Esk Choir, year after year.

And as we ended this joyful night

Beneath the Grand’s soft glowing light,

We heard our voices joined as one.

To rise again when the season’s done.

And as the night drew gently to rest--

We knew we’d shared our very best.

By: Sue Walker